AboutJessica Expertise The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.
Experience I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.
Question I have a 17-year-old cat who has thyroid disease and is on medication. His kidney function is beginning to deteriorate. He also suffers from constipation. I was putting mineral oil in his food and it helped the constipation, but he doesn't like it and will only eat a few bites. I'd like to give him a stool softener instead (one of those little gelcaps like Colace), but I want to make sure it's safe before I do it. Any advice?
Thanks,
Connie
Answer Hi, Connie.
What I would suggest is to use an over-the-counter lubricant such as Petromalt, or even better, Laxatone, before going to a medicine. Laxatone is tuna-flavored gel that is petrolatum-based. Most cats will eat it straight. If your cat won't eat it, you can fill a syringe with it by taking the plunger out and squeezing the product from the tube directly into the syringe. Then replace the plunger and put it into your kitty's mouth on one side, toward the back of the jaw. For constipation, 1/2 teaspoon (equal to 2.5 mls or cc's) should be given, once a day. Once he is regulated, you can give him half that dose daily.
Another thing that generally works very well to regulate cats is Citrucel, which isn't a laxative per se, but it does regulate. It can be added to food without changing the texture or flavor of the food. Your vet will be able to recommend the dosage.
There are many constipation products that are toxic to cats, so I don't recommend giving any of them without checking with your vet. To my knowledge, most vets prefer to use a warm soapy water enema (with a liquid hand/dish soap) to treat constipation that has gone beyond treating with a laxative such as Laxatone.
DSS (active ingredient in Colace) IS used in cats who suffer chronic constipation. However, I'm not sure if it's safe for kidney and thyroid patients, and I'm also not sure of the dosage. Too much can cause diarrhea. So definitely check with your vet to make sure it's safe, and ask how much to give your kitty.
